Saturday, January 3, 2015

Following Jesus Christ’s example of obedience increases our faith in Him.“Is it any wonder,” said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of theTwelve Apostles, “that Christ chooses first and foremost to define himselfin relation to his father—that he loved him and obeyed him and submittedto him like the loyal son he was? … Obedience is the first law of heaven.”1

The scriptures teach “when we obtain any blessing from God, it is byobedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C 130:21). Ourspiritual growth takes place as we draw close to God through obedienceand invite the power of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives.

“As we walk in obedience to the principles and commandments of thegospel of Jesus Christ,” said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorumof the Twelve Apostles, “we enjoy a continual flow of blessings promisedby God in His covenant with us. Those blessings provide the resources weneed to act rather than simply be acted upon as we go through life. …Obedience gives us greater control over our lives, greater capacity tocome and go, to work and create.”2

Additional Scriptures

From the Scriptures

“Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to thecommandments be given to another person?” asked Elder David A. Bednarof the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “The clear answer … is no.”3

The parable of the ten virgins is an example of this principle. While all ofthe virgins took their lamps to “meet the bridegroom,” only five were wiseand took oil in their lamps. The other five were foolish because they “tookno oil with them.”

Then the cry came at midnight: “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go yeout to meet him.” All the virgins trimmed their lamps, but the foolishvirgins had no oil. They said to the wise virgins, “Give us of your oil; forour lamps are gone out.”

The wise virgins answered, “Not so; lest there be not enough for us andyou: but go … and buy for yourselves.” And while the foolish virgins weregone, the bridegroom came and the wise virgins went with him and “thedoor was shut” (Matthew 25:1–13).